The Master Bedroom & the Evening light...

The late afternoon light on the tree outside my dining room window took my breath away the other day . One of my favorite things about living here is the stunning sunsets.

I have not been able to fully capture its splendor, but it is a lovely way to end the day.

I also have been enjoying my cozy bedroom on these cool nights.

I can finally say that its what I envisioned it to be.

I painted the desk and bed in the same creamy color as my kitchen cabinets.

I used an enamel paint and love the results.

I decided to keep the inside of the desk the stained wood. I love the contrast and

the wood tones tie together with the chair and window blinds.  Keeping it

from looking overly feminine.

I found the duvet cover and shams at the local Goodwill for $24. They were

in perfect condition. After a good wash it added the warmth

and texture I was looking for.

The two decorative pillows, and the area rug were a steal from Ross.

I love Ross pillows because most are down filled with zippers.

The rug is not an expensive rug at all and the quality reflects that, BUT it

was perfect for the bedroom in both color and price. 

Only $59 for a 9x13!

I have carried this print for nearly 20 years! The father of a friend of mine made

the frame and I distressed it and repainted it about 4 times over the years.

I think its perfect now. This image is an honest reflection of

what I love. I feel so much peace looking into it. 

I have thought about repainting the wall color to a neutral. But this room doesn't get

much natural light and the color is cheerful, yet restful for a bedroom.

As much as I don't like the look of a TV in the bedroom, I will

be the first to say I like to watch me some HGTV at night.

It is what it is.

That sweet little chair was another simple reupholster job I tackled.

I decided to keep it in wood tones and the fabric coordinates perfectly.

Here's a peek of that process:

Looking out the master to the hallway. 

This used to be open to the kitchen before we remodeled the kitchen

a few years ago. The mirror and lamp keep it bright.

And... to keep it real...

This is my messy closet! 

The antique doors are leaning because we are trying to figure out

the best way to attach them. Either as sliding barn style or as french doors.

Its funny how you get used to the undone stuff over time!

Maybe I'll go tackle that closet today...

or not. 

*Cheers* to making a room comfy on a tight budget!!

xoxo

Jodi

That silly facebook game....

Recently, people all over Facebook are playing a fun game where

you are given a number and then you have to share that number of

facts about yourself people probably don't know.  I couldn't figure out

how to get a number...

....and I wanted to play too!

So, what's a girl to do? Well make one up herself, of course.  

I assigned myself a number, made my list and shared.

Then I realized....

Why not do something similar here?

....and then ask my readers to share a few fun facts about themselves too.

Please leave a comment so I don't feel too ridiculous....

seriously, please!

***********

OK, so here I go, and a few of these are repeats from my personal Facebook page.

1.  I bit my nails into nubs until 3 years ago. I stopped cold turkey!

2.  I moved to Florida at 20 with my best friend. We drove our old cars, had CB radio's, and all our belongings in the backseat.  On the first night of driving, we lost each other in   Little Rock, AR. Using our CB radio's we found each other in the pitch black darkness!  That was the beginning of a GREAT adventure!

3.  In 7th grade I tried to play on a kids ball team. I struck out on the first try, started to cry and quit the team because I was embarrassed. What a wimp, right?

4. In 6th grade I broke my leg on my 3rd ski lesson. I had a thigh high cast for 2 months. On my first day back to school, my crutch slipped in spilled gravy at lunch, I fell backwards and hit my head on a lunch table and got sent home.

5. I was a self conscious, insecure child. See #3 & 4.

6. Our family had a foster child named Rosemary in the late 70's in Lacey, WA.

She was adopted to a family in Seattle prior to our family moving out of state. 

Its my hearts desire to find her one day!

7. I got stuck in the middle of a pond on a pony when I was 7 while visiting my grandparents farm.

8.  My absolute favorite flower is the Lilac. One year my friend Susan brought

over a GIANT bouquet from her yard in an old enamel pitcher.

It was one of my favorite gifts of all time.

9.  I prefer a big, juicy steak over chocolate any day of the week.

10.  In high school, I was a "mannequin model" for Casual Corner. I had to stand 

frozen in the front window for about 30 minutes at a time without moving.

It was fun to startle people walking by when I moved.

I didn't get paid, but got a great discount on the clothes!

11.  I still have my braces wrapped in tissue in my keepsake box.

12.  When I was 16 my dad and his friend (my boss) convinced me to participate in

a Filipino beauty pageant. The lovely ladies dressed me up in their

gorgeous authentic costumes. I was the only blond and placed second.

I think they were as confused as I was how that happened.

I'm still not sure how I qualified, but it was a great experience. I have pictures
in my keepsake box.

13.  I need to clean out my keepsake box. See #11 & 12

14.  I played Mary in the Christmas play when I was in 3rd grade...but

had to leave because I got a HUGE sliver in my butt while scooting across the bleachers.

See #5.

15. I LOVE carnival rides. ESPECIALLY the tilt-a-whirl! My laughter travels
for miles. Just ask my embarrassed children.

Just like you, I have other crazy stories I randomly like to share. If  you'd like 

to read more about me, click on the "Story of Me" tab. You never know

what I will decide to write about!

And PLEASE leave me a comment with a story about YOU!

xoxo

Jodi

Simple & Delicious Pretzel Almond Roca

This is a super simple Pretzel Almond Roca Recipe

you can make ahead and freeze for 

Holiday guests 

or 

to satisfy a salty-sweet attack!

To get started,

 I pulled out my copy of our  Family Heirloom Cookbook. 

I made this cookbook for each of our children last Christmas.

I wanted them to have a little bit of home as they all are out on their own now.

They really loved it!

The original recipe I have does not include pretzels, however, I thought adding them would make a delicious salty- sweet combination.

What you will need:

*Parchment paper or tin foil for cookie sheet

*Minature Pretzels (enough to cover a cookie sheet)

*3 sticks of butter (1 1/2 C.)

*1 1/2 C. Granulated Sugar

*1 1/2 C. Sliced Almonds

*1 Bag of Chocolate Chips 

(either semi-sweet or milk chocolate)

*Sea Salt 

(enough to sprinkle a small amount on top)

********************

Line your cookie sheet with the parchment paper.

Spread out the pretzels in a single layer.

In a heavy 2 Quart saucepan, on medium/medium high heat, 

add butter & allow to melt. Add sugar.

Stir frequently as it comes to a rolling boil.

Take a picture with with a steamy lense.

Continue to boil for 2-3 minutes, then stir in most of the Almonds 

(save about a 1/4 C. for later).

Continue stirring frequently.

The color will start to change slowly to a deeper brown.

It will smell a little like its burning, but I assure you it is not. As you continue to stir, you will notice the consistancy change, keep stirring a little longer.

It will be a dark brown and smell like roasted almonds and

even a little like burnt sugar. Its really important that you cook it long enough. You want it to be crunchy when it cools, not chewy. If you have a candy thermometer it will be done at 300*.

 Quickly & carefully pour over the pretzels.

It will not spread very well on its own, so you will need a rubber spatula to press and spread it. 

Work quickly as it will start to set.

While still hot, sprinkle the chocolate chips on the top and let sit for a few minutes.  Come back and spread the melted chocolate evenly.

Sprinkle the remaining Almonds on the top.

Add a dash of sea salt.

Allow a few hours for it to cool completely.

You may want to put in the freezer to speed up the process.

Once cooled and set, use a heavy knive to break it apart into generous pieces.

 Place in sealed container, using parchment paper in between the layers. Keep in the freezer to avoid melting together.

Share with your friends!

xoxo 

Jodi

The Workshop and a New Perspective....

It will be 6 years tomorrow that I said good bye to my dad on this earth. I celebrate the promise that I will see him again one day in heaven. It's true. Each year the sting of losing him unexpectedly becomes duller. The pain in the gut of missing someone I love so much becomes less prominent. The tears don't come as often.  But there are times that I just want to hear his voice or ask his advice. Then the tears come quietly, and I talk to him as if he were here.  It's about then, Izzy, my dog, senses the sadness and licks the tears from my cheeks. They would've liked each other.  More than anything, I become sad that I can't remember his voice as well, and I can't remember the details of the stories he told me of his life.  And even if I did try to retell his stories, I could never get the tone, humor and sarcasm in the way he did.  I wish he would've written them down. I wish I had some video of him to watch. I wish I could have just one more minute.

I have a box. A box to put everything special that reminds me of him in it. Pictures that were special, a journal to write to him in, the order of his memorial service, and even pictures of him at his service. I haven't looked in his box for a long time. I haven't written in the journal for years.

Today, I think I will take a moment and write to him. I will tell him again how much I miss him and his calls. The way he answered the phone with a a southern twang "YEL-low". We would spend hours talking about all matters big and small. He would get on his soap box and I would just listen as he became my biggest cheerleader in life.

I will tell him about my change in perspective as I've become older. That, as a child, the time he spent in the garage "working" on projects during evenings and weekends often left me feeling less important. Why didn't you come to my swim meets or Girl Scout activities? Why did you always want to be home in the garage with all that wood and tools and loud country music?  Why?

NOW I get it. I understand now, dad, it was where you felt the happiest. NOT because you loved me less or didn't care, but BECAUSE you just needed to. I know how much you loved me and I value those moments of pulling up a stool and talking to you for hours in your "shop" as you organized and made things from wood.  Today, when I smell fresh cut lumber my thoughts go directly to those moments.

Maybe it wasn't by accident that you were always there to help when I fell off my bike in front of the house, or that you were there to greet my friends as we came in and out of the house. I remember the night of my first real kiss on our doorstep after a date. I was a Junior in High School. It was after midnight and the house lights were off except for a glow in the garage.  There you were, waiting up for me "working" on some project under the flickering light of a florescent bulb. You were the first person I told about that kiss. And with that you turned off the light and we both went to bed. You just wanted to make sure I made it home safely.

When I started driving, you were always there with the garage door open, ready to greet me with a wave or do an inspection of my car tires and oil. Remember how you told me my "U joints were old" and not to drive faster than 55 or my wheels would fall off. I believed you! You were clever, because I know now that you would've NEVER let me drive a dangerous car. I listened...and never got a speeding ticket. Dad, in the moments you felt you'd lost control of life, I believe the "workshop" was your way to find it. I get it, I so get it now dad.

I will tell him how proud I am of him for serving in the Air Force.  That our frequent moves and his absence made me learn how to adapt quickly. With each move I couldn't wait to fix up my room. To surround myself with the things that I recognized and loved. The things that expressed who I was and made me feel happy.  I believe that constant change in homes gave me the desire I still have today to make each house a place that says "HOME" to me and our military family.  I still want to surround myself and the people I love with comfort and warmth. I am so grateful for that gift.

I believe your garage "workshop" was YOUR room. The place you couldn't wait to unpack and be at home in surrounded by what made you remember your passion and gave you peace. And, dad, I so get that too!

Yes, today I will write this down, and I will put it in his box. The wood box he made for me on my 19th Birthday. The box he lovingly cut out, nailed and glued out of scrap cedar in his "workshop". Just for me. Because he loved me so. And I will put it in my room along with my favorite things. And I will smile finally understanding the depth of that gift.

I love you too, daddy.

xoxoxo

Jodi

The Hood River Fruit Loop

A few weeks ago Izzy and I jumped in the car and headed

down to Portland to spend some time

with my wonderful in laws.

The weather was a gorgeous 73* and sunshine.

A perfect Fall weekend to go explore the

Hood River Fruit Loop 

Our first stop was the Pheasant Valley Winery

This gorgeous original painting of Mt. Hood hangs inside the tasting room at the winery. 

Its a lovely winery with a gorgeous vineyard.
The colors were breathtaking.
I didn't try the wine since it was so early in the day, but Jeff and I will definitely come back sometime!

My precious mother in law, June, posing with the vineyard.

After leaving the winery, we enjoyed the beauty of the outside.

Cant you picture a romantic picnic along side of this river?
A wool blanket, a bottle of wine, some cheese and fresh apples...
holding hands while breathing in the Fall air.
*Mmmmm*

We stopped at this ADORABLE country store next.
Papa and Izzy sat outside in the vintage chairs while June and I
meandered through the store.

Oh my! 

They had fresh pies and jams and sausages and sooooo many yummy things!

I bought some pepper jelly & smoked sausages for Jeff

once he comes home from deployment.

 After wiping the samples from our chins, we jumped back in the
car and drove up the road to our next stop.
On the way we could see Mt. Hood in the distance.
The mountain was so close, but the haze in the sky makes it look so far away.
The colors in the fruit trees just pop against the backdrop.

Our next stop was at the apple stand. Oh my goodness!
If you love apples, this is the place to go!
They have so many varieties.
The ginormous apple on the left is actually its normal size for its type.
(Sorry I don't remember what kind it is)
and the one on the right is a honey crisp.

This is a HUGE pear. They had a wide variety of pears as well.

While they were picking out apples, Izzy and I explored the property.

We loaded up the bags of apples and a half gallon of fresh
Apple Cider and continued along the loop.
(If you are interested in seeing where the loop is, I posted a link at the beginning)

Our last stop was here.

This sweet store had some fruit, but specialized in desserts!
Cookies & Pies galore.
They also had several varieties of jellies, honey, canned fruits to choose from.
The decor was darling and pure country.

After our adventure, we continued into the town of Hood River, OR
for lunch.
We ate at The Hood River Inn. A delicious restaurant right on the Columbia River.

I know this post is a little late. When I got back from visiting them I came
down with a stubborn cold. I just didn't feel like writing until now.
As always, Thank you for reading this little blog.
It's such a joy to share my life and loves with you.

xoxo
Jodi